The Original Mountain Marathon

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Hold Tight

Rob Howard / 25.10.2008

Registration continued late into Friday night and resumed early on Saturday as a stream of cars made their way down Borrowdale and up the single track road to Seathwaite. One competitor came prepared and registered wearing a rubber ring and inflatable arm bands – a joke which didn’t seem so funny when the rain started to fall again in a continuous deluge half way through the starts.

Those who spent the night on the camping field had a disturbed night due to the rising wind, but it seems that was just a prelude to an even rougher night to come.

By 08.00 when the first competitors were called up into the start lanes it was at least dry, but the strength of the wind was startling. Even on the start line, which was down in the valley, it was hard to hold onto maps or hats, and the wind was strong enough to buffet the competitors back on their heels. Signs were blown over, banners were battened down, and the short distance up to Stockley Bridge (the route the majority took) was hard going against the wind. It was a case of heads down into the wind, with every step doubly hard. In the stronger gusts some racers had to hold onto the side of the bridge to avoid being blown off – and this was before they’d gained any height.

Midway through the starts the rain began, steadily at first then in a wind-driven downpour that was too much for some. A fair number of pairs thought better of setting off in these conditions and decided the 2008 OMM was not for them.

Some had been soaked just getting to the start, having had to park their cars a distance away. There was quite a traffic queue for a while and a few late starters as a result.

For those who did set off every track soon became a stream, and every stream a white-water barrier to progress. Their destination for tonight is the single mid-camp at Gatesgarth Farm in Buttermere, which is at least low lying – though that may be a disadvantage if it floods again!

The courses take in most of the Central Lakeland Fells with the Elite, B, Short and Long Score heading southwards towards Langdale and Wasdale, and then turning North back to the mid-camp. The other courses are mostly in the area to the North of Honister Pass, crossing the Derwent Fells. All the short courses are in operation and on the C class 3 additional checkpoints were taken out, leaving just 5 of the original 10 checkpoints to be visited.

[The next report and picture galleries will be posted late Saturday night – if we are not cut off from getting back to our internet connection by floods ...]See All Event Posts